SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, the National Hurricane Center confirmed. It is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday before moving into the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy rainfall will spread into Florida and adjacent areas of the Southeast United States mid to late week.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, and is forecast to intensify into a hurricane as it heads north toward the Gulf of Mexico. As of the NHC’s 7 p.